Help name local places and spaces in Baw Baw Shire

Published on 24 November 2023

Have your say on the future names of places and spaces in Baw Baw Shire and contribute to Council’s new Draft Place and Feature Naming policy.

Baw Baw Shire Council is developing a policy to guide the future naming of streets, key monuments, parks and reserves in our community. 

This policy will provide strategic direction and ensure that future place naming in Baw Baw is respectful and inclusive.

Following an audit of place names across Baw Baw in 2022, Council is eager to address the disparity between male and female named features. 

As such, Council wants to collect a bank of notable women’s names to be used in the naming of parks, reserves, streets, localities and other public features.  

In addition to the opportunity for residents to provide their feedback on Council’s new draft policy, residents are also invited to submit naming suggestions for key landmarks in Baw Baw.

Once a name is submitted it will be considered by Council's Place Names Advisory Committee, which then makes recommendations to Council. This committee will soon be advertising for new members, so stay tuned to Council’s social media platforms, as well as its online engagement platform www.bawbawconnect.com.au to learn more. 

Baw Baw Shire Mayor Councillor Annemarie McCabe said the draft policy and opportunity for community members to provide naming suggestions is a great way for the community to interact with Council and make their mark at a local level.

“The opportunity for our residents to have input here is two-fold,” Cr McCabe said.

“Not only do we want to hear our residents’ thoughts and feedback on the Draft Place and Feature Naming Policy, but this is also a wonderful chance for people to share naming suggestions for different spaces across Baw Baw and leave a long-lasting legacy.”

To get involved in deciding how our parks, buildings and roads will be named in the future, complete the short survey on Baw Baw Connect or submit your name suggestions using the ideas board. 

Make sure you have your say before 5.00 pm Monday, 18 December 2023. 

The draft policy can also be downloaded from the 'Documents' section on the Baw Baw Connect page. Visit www.bawbawconnect.com.au/placenamingpolicy to find out more.